A Visit with Mom

Mom came to California for a week.  I was so happy to get to spend some time with her.   We were able to just hang out and visit.  Often when we go up to Wa.  there is so much going on we don't always get a lot of time together.  Caleb and I did have to share her but it all worked out well.  I headed over to Caleb's house after our Boy Scout rock climbing.  I then stayed up in Twenty Nine Palms for the week.

Caleb and Lacee taking it easy and dancing away.   This is what they do when all of their kids are at school.   

and this too.   A huge nerd war broke out.  I found out that Lacee  takes NO prisoners .  She is all in.  I think she is winning here. 

Andreja thought she would get in on this action.

Uncle Caleb gives no mercy for the weak

Justin just trying to stay out of the way of stray darts.

Now the nerf guns were not cutting it anymore and out came the  Air Soft.

She looks deadly serious 

Now this is my take on gun wars.  and you ask where are the other two  girls,  well they are at school.   And mom must be hiding somewhere so she doesn't get shot.

Rock Climbing in Joshua Tree National Park

This last weekend we went on a scout family campout.   It was a lot of fun.   The boys  were able to  do some rock climbing and lots of visiting with the other scouts.  

While they waited  for the lines to be put on the Rock Faces,  the boys did some pre climb bouldering.

Some of us ladies were camped out to watch them climb.  I brought my book along but didn't get much reading done at this point.  I did later in the afternoon.  

I was so proud of Cody.  This is his second  official Boy Scout  camp out.   He wasn't so sure  about the climbing but he decided to give it a try and he did awesome. He scurried up the rock like nothing until he got to this  point and then he has to stop and think of how he would get up that last 10 feet or so.  He made it to the top.

Justin has done a little climbing before.  So he had a great handle on it.   Of course  he chose the hardest of the four climbs to start on.  He also scurried right up until he got to this point on his climb.  After about 5 min of confidence building, shaking out the arms and directions from the instructor he finished right up.

Cody was learning how to belay.

Rock climbing does a pretty big number on the hands.

Cody said that belaying is harder than the rock climbing and hard on the hands too.

Cody trying another rope line.  Buck was belaying for him .  This line was tricky because the belayer could not see the climber very well.  This is where the training on climbing calls becomes very important.

Now this just makes me smile.  Buck was having a blast with the boys.  I know he is such a kid at heart and being involved in Boy Scouts with his boys keeps him  happy.  I love that he has this great bonding time with our boys and at such an important time in their lives.   I am very sad, at this point it does not look like Buck will be able to go to Boy Scout Summer Camp.  He has gone the last two years with Justin and this will be Cody's first year but it looks as though he will be deployed.  And if he is not deployed we don't think we will be able to come up with the additional  $800.00 to send him on short notice.   I know the boys can do it on their own and Cody will have his big brother but I really wish he could be there for Cody's firs year.  I guess that is the life we live as we continue our journey living a military family.

Of course he made it to the top.   He and the boys went back after lunch and he climbed 2 more  rock faces.
Justin did a total of 6 climbs
Cody did a total of 4 climbs

The Campsite was really cool tucked into the bottom of all the rock faces .   It was very relaxing and all that camp should be.  We had perfect weather.
This is a common camp scene, Justin playing us a tune, Cody doing some bird watching, and Buck cooking us dinner.
I must say I have a great husband wh does all of the work while we camp.  I really do love him.

Cody the Boy Scout

Well, yesterday was a big day in our house.  Cody Bridged over to the Boy Scouts.  We have been looking forward to this day.  Look how tall he is getting I just can't believe my baby is such a big boy.  He worked really hard these last couple of months to get all complete with his Arrow of Light. 

He will be in his big brothers Patrol (wolverines)  I know some say it would be better for them to be separated, but they are really great together and Justin is a great big brother and will make sure Cody stays in line.

We are finally to have all scout activities together and this will make life so much easier.  Cody has already gone on two Scout trips.  We will go to Joshua Tree in a couple weeks for a family camp and some rock climbing.  This will be such a great time of growing for Cody.

New Year's weekend

Look who got a phone for Christmas.  The teenage years have begun.

Caleb's girls received  really cool aprons from Aunt Shelia.   They looked so cute.

Caleb and Buck worked on his Truck.  Changed some belts and such.

Buck was doing some skating on the Kinect

Some really good baking was going on.  

me doing some chillin waiting for the ball to drop.

Played some Catan.  Justin looks a little surprised.  It is his new look.

Christmas 2011

We went on a  Christmas tree light search one night. It was beautiful  some  houses  were just crazy decorated.  

We made these yummy brownie Santa hats.  We made some to share and some to eat.

TheChristmas morning line up.

Cody got a new cruiser skate board.  He is really excited about it.

Hunter wanted in on Christmas.  He even went into my stocking.

Justin got a new board.  He has been skating up a storm since.

Buck is checking out the basket of canned goods from Brandi.

Justin got a pillow pet moose and a crazy owl hat.  I sometimes wonder about this kid.

Cody got some really cool drums.

Thanksgiving at Caleb and Lacee's

Justin and Uncle Caleb checking out the old Pokemon cards

Buck Carving up the yummy Turkey

Everyone ready for some food.

Looks good

As Dinner progressed we looked over and Andrija was passed out on the floor sound asleep.  She had been sick the days before so she was extra tired.

This the view we have of Lacee a lot because the do not have a dishwasher and she spends much time at the sink.

The next day it was to the park for some horse shoes.  This must have been a close one cause the are down there measuring to make sure.

Lacee got a ringer.  It was pretty exciting.

look at that goofy girl.

Justin had lots of fun at the skate park

And for a great end to the night,  a game of Catan.  We are so Thankful to live close to Caleb and Lacee and the girls . It is so nice to be able to get together for the holidays and all other days too.